Physics Majors and Minors

We offer both major and minor programs in physics as well as a dual degree physics and engineering track and a pre-engineering program. Upon completion of a physics major, students will be able to determine specified information about a physical system by using basic physics principles, a mathematical representation, laboratory methods and instruments, and computer and graphical techniques; find and retrieve published or computer archived information; communicate physics concepts and results of scientific work in written and oral forms.

Majors and Emphases

With upper level courses in a rotation, you need to think about what courses you'll be taking and when in order to graduate on time. To help plan your curriculum and learn more about opportunities, required courses, etc., select one of the following emphasis below. With a physics major, it is possible to attain either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Science in Education, depending on your choice of emphases.

This emphasis is recommended for students who seek employment in the field of physics or who are preparing for graduate studies in physics, astronomy, or related fields. Professional Emphasis majors will be able to use integrated principles of physics and advanced analytic and computational methods.

The emphasis is recommended for students who seek employment in the application of physics and computing to scientific and technical areas. Applied Physics Emphasis majors will be able to use the concepts and laboratory techniques of digital and analog electronics, digital signal processing techniques to improve and analyze digitized data, high level programming languages and assembler languages and assemble and use computer interfaced equipment.

This emphasis is recommended for students who plan to teach physics at the secondary school level, where they will be able to use appropriate apparatus and computers to teach physics concepts to high school students.

The UW Oshkosh Physics-Engineering Dual Degree Program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics from UW Oshkosh and a bachelor degree (either a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a Bachelor of Engineering) from an accredited engineering school of your choice. With careful planning, you can complete the program in five years: three at UW Oshkosh to complete the physics major and College of Letters & Science Bachelor of Science degree requirements and an additional two at one of our partner universities.

Minors

The Department also offers two minors, one is a Liberal Arts minor in Physics, and the other is a Secondary Education minor in Physics. Both require a 23-credit minimum and are detailed in the UW Oshkosh Undergraduate Bulletin.

Details on the specific requirements and courses can be found in the UW Oshkosh Undergraduate Bulletin and in our Physics Advisement Bulletin. If you are interested in pursuing a major or minor in physics, or a dual physics/engineering degree, please contact the following faculty, who will be happy to advise you: